The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-10-26
From Washington.
ndence OF THE cLAkIoS.I

correspondence OF TIE CLARION
WASHINGTON, Oct. Is, 1887.
Of the many annual reports now be-
ing prepared in the several federal de-
partments, perhaps none are of such gen
eral interest as Is that of Commissioner
Sparks. of the General Land Office,
which has Just been submitted to the
Secretary of the Interior, and which
speaks more than mere platform plati-
tudes of the sincere desire of the Demo
Gratis to redeem their pledges, TO reclaim
and restore to the people the public
domain of which Republican rapacity
and yenality have wrongfully deprived
them. These vast frauds are not con-
fined to any particular locality, but i'm.
partially and unblushingly penetrate
and permeate every State and Territory
of the Union, which shall for many
years to come emblazon on the pages of
our country's history the degradation
and infamy of the most corrupt party of
the century.
The report in question shows that
have been reclaimed end thrown open
to honest settlers. The investigation of
land entries discloses the startling result
that 2,312 cases, covering $4,000 acres,
were condemned to cancellation, and
l,153 entries, covering about 10000
acres, were cancelled tor fraud, pure
and simple. Added to this crowded cat
alogue of crime-its crowning climax
more than five thousand cases have been
uLearthed, wherein perjury or subor-
nation of perjury has been committed in
| land transactions.
The reports of several of the bureaus,
especially those of the Land Office
and the Pension Office-call for an
increase in their clerical force, it APP
pearing that these two grand divisions
| of the public service are outstripping, in
rapid and substantial growth, all of the
others, with the possible exception of
| the extension of the mail service
throughout the country.
Considering the number of important
and interesting cases to be adjudicated
the October term of the Supreme Court
of the United States promises to be of
extraordinary interest. First in magni-
tude is the trial of the Virginia State
officials imprisoned by United States
Judge Bond for alleged contempt OF
court in the celebrated coupon crusher'
| cases, as this unheard of proceeding in
wolves a grave constitutional question
in regard to the relation of the State and
National Governments.
Among the bills to be introduced in
| Congress next session will be seven or
pension legislation, prepared under the
auspices of the Grand Army of the Re
public, with the purpose of providing
aid for all soldiers who saw actual ser
vice. But if Congress should be weak
enough to sanction such a wholesale raid
on the Treasury, President Cleveland
will again stand like a stone wall be-
tween that body of designing politicians
with a few honorable exceptions, and
the coveted Golfers of great and gener-
Gus people.
/ Another measure that comes near the
people will be the introduction of bill
providing for the licensing of railway
engineers and conductors-the otlec
being to obtain for such service careful
temperate, and experienced men, anC
thus secure the safety of the passen-
gers.
In this connection | may say that it il
| highly probable that Congress will abol
ish kerosene lamps and heating stoves
on all MISUNDERSTANDING these death
dealing agencies with electricity and
steaming apparatus, attached to the 10
conceive.
The citizens of the National Capita
are making an earnest effort to have the
next National Democratic Convention
meet in this city. The initiative wa
| taken by the Columbia Democratic Clut
in behalf of Washington, and the whole
city is seconding their endeavor, as +;
public meeting will soon be called t.
consider the undertaking. The chic
obstacle to be overcome is the fact that
the city has no hall large enough to ac
commodate the convention; but it il
proposed to obviate that hindrance by
the erection of large temporary struc
ture for the purpose. Cas-.